Flying along the coast: Paramotoring has been approved at Pinnaroo Point in Hillarys for a second trial, this time lasting 12 months.
Camera IconFlying along the coast: Paramotoring has been approved at Pinnaroo Point in Hillarys for a second trial, this time lasting 12 months. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Fliers win second trial

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

A TRIAL of paramotoring at Pinnaroo Point in Hillarys has been extended for another year.

City of Joondalup officers had recommended the WA Sky Pirates (WASP) Paramotor Club have use of Pinnaroo Point for take-off and landing between April 1 and September 30 each year, subject to the club submitting an annual flight log.

But at last Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Troy Pickard moved an alternative recommendation to allow the club to use the land until June 30 next year.

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The second trial would be run under the same conditions imposed on the six-month trial, which was approved in August, 2013, and held from January 4 to July 5.

Mr Pickard also requested community consultation with residents within 300m of the Pinnaroo Point site at the beginning of May.

‘I think it’s appropriate that we have a full summer of the trial, which is during weather conditions that allows this activity to occur, and then actually seeking the views of the community,’ he said.

‘We haven’t sought the views of the community at the conclusion of the current trial and that’s one of the issues that I have. If the community doesn’t have an issue with paramotors on the coast then I’m comfortable with that, but at this point in time we haven’t actually asked them.’

Crs Brian Corr and Mike Norman supported the idea of extending the trial.

‘We should allow residents living near Pinnaroo Point to determine whether their (paramotorists) operation will have any real impact on their amenity or not,’ Cr Norman said.

‘I would be surprised if residents in Hillarys experience any negative impact from paramotors using Pinnaroo Point because the take-off and landing site is about 150m away from the nearest house.’

However, Cr Kerry Hollywood said there were still noise concerns.

‘Whilst paramotors look exciting flying over the beach, noise takes away from the serenity of being on our pristine beaches,’ she said.

Cr John Chester said he found ‘paramotoring a very exciting concept and something which the City should embrace enthusiastically’.

‘The bottom line is that if anything is unacceptable we can curtail the activity at a moment’s notice, so we don’t want to get too tied up in worrying about the noise,’ he said.

Cr Tom McLean said while paramotors were noisy, it was only momentary.

The officers’ recommendation for seasonal use of Pinnaroo Point was defeated 10-1.

Cr Hollywood alone voted for the officers’ recommendation.

Mr Pickard’s alternate recommendation was passed unanimously.

Paramotoring involves participants flying along the coast using a parachute, small engine and propeller.